PTSHX vs. VUSFX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PTSHX (PIMCO Short Term Fund) and VUSFX (Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - PTSHX is a Ultrashort Bond fund managed by PIMCO, while VUSFX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, PTSHX returned 3.00%/yr vs 2.71%/yr for VUSFX. At a correlation of -0.05, they often move in opposite directions. PTSHX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VUSFX.

Performance

PTSHX vs. VUSFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO Short Term Fund (PTSHX) and Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VUSFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PTSHX achieves a 2.03% return, which is significantly higher than VUSFX's 1.47% return. Over the past 10 years, PTSHX has outperformed VUSFX with an annualized return of 3.00%, while VUSFX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.71% annualized return.

PTSHX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.46%
• YTD: 2.03%
• 6M: 2.42%
• 1Y: 5.09%
• 3Y*: 5.72%
• 5Y*: 3.71%
• 10Y*: 3.00%

VUSFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.21%
• YTD: 1.47%
• 6M: 1.57%
• 1Y: 4.31%
• 3Y*: 5.42%
• 5Y*: 3.52%
• 10Y*: 2.71%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

PTSHX vs. VUSFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PTSHX PIMCO Short Term Fund	2.03%	4.88%	6.43%	6.09%	-0.55%	0.02%	2.75%	2.74%	1.51%	2.43%
VUSFX Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Admiral Shares	1.47%	5.11%	6.11%	5.53%	-0.38%	0.08%	2.10%	3.39%	2.10%	1.37%

Correlation

The correlation between PTSHX and VUSFX is -0.06, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.06
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.09
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.04
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2016	-0.05

Return for Risk

PTSHX vs. VUSFX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

PTSHX

PTSHX Risk / Return Rank: 99
PTSHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
PTSHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
PTSHX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
PTSHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
PTSHX Martin Ratio Rank: 100

VUSFX

VUSFX Risk / Return Rank: 100
VUSFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
VUSFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
VUSFX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
VUSFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
VUSFX Martin Ratio Rank: 100

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

PTSHX vs. VUSFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Short Term Fund (PTSHX) and Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VUSFX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	PTSHX	VUSFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.47	7.24	-3.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	11.49	14.04	-2.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	3.78	4.29	-0.52
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	24.33	17.57	+6.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	79.33	102.50	-23.17

PTSHX vs. VUSFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PTSHX Sharpe Ratio is 3.47, which is lower than the VUSFX Sharpe Ratio of 7.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PTSHX and VUSFX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PTSHX vs. VUSFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PTSHX drawdown since its inception was -5.12%, which is greater than VUSFX's maximum drawdown of -1.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTSHX and VUSFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PTSHX	VUSFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.12%	-1.71%	-3.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.21%	-0.25%	+0.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.41%	-0.35%	-0.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-2.33%	-1.71%	-0.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-4.79%	-1.71%	-3.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.10%	+0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.19%	-0.15%	-0.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.07%	0.04%	+0.03%

Volatility

PTSHX vs. VUSFX - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO Short Term Fund (PTSHX) has a higher volatility of 0.42% compared to Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VUSFX) at 0.19%. This indicates that PTSHX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUSFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PTSHX	VUSFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.42%	0.19%	+0.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.97%	0.43%	+0.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.45%	0.60%	+0.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.40%	0.81%	+0.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.35%	0.68%	+0.67%

PTSHX vs. VUSFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PTSHX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than VUSFX's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

PTSHX vs. VUSFX - Dividend Comparison

PTSHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.43%, less than VUSFX's 4.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PTSHX PIMCO Short Term Fund	4.43%	4.75%	5.16%	4.51%	2.80%	0.63%	1.78%	2.92%	2.65%	1.69%	1.67%	1.57%
VUSFX Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Admiral Shares	4.53%	4.73%	5.52%	4.15%	1.38%	0.53%	1.62%	2.68%	2.23%	1.52%	1.07%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PTSHX and VUSFX in my portfolio?

PTSHX and VUSFX have a correlation of -0.06, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PTSHX or VUSFX?

PTSHX has higher volatility (0.42%) compared to VUSFX (0.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PTSHX dropped -5.12% vs VUSFX's -1.71%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUSFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (7.24 vs 3.47), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.